Preparation of a biotic index (Yeşilırmak-BMWP) for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River (Turkey) by using benthic macroinvertebrates

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1 Review of Hydrobiology 6,1: 1-29 (2013) ISSN RESEARCH ARTICLE Preparation of a biotic index (Yeşilırmak-BMWP) for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River (Turkey) by using benthic macroinvertebrates NİLGÜN KAZANCI 1, GENCER TÜRKMEN 1, PINAR EKİNGEN 1 AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN 1 1 Hacettepe University, Science Faculty, Biology Department, Hydrobiology Section, Ankara, Turkey. [ Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kazancı, nilgunkazanci@gmail.com] ABSTRACT 1. This study was conducted at 42 sites on the Yeşilırmak River in 2008, 2009 and Water samples were taken from these sites and NO 3, NO 2, NH 4 and PO 4 variables were analyzed. According to the physico-chemical variables, the water qualities of the 42 sites were determined. 2. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were collected from the sites individuals belonging to 72 families were identified. 3. The cluster analysis was applied to the data obtained from the benthic community structure. As a result of the analysis, the sites which have similar benthic macroinvertebrate community were grouped together. 4. BMWP scores of the families were re-arranged by considering the results of the cluster analysis and physico-chemical data together. A new Yeşilırmak river-specific biotic index (Yeşilırmak-BMWP, ) was created. 5. Original-BMWP scores and the new scores were compared. As a result of this comparison, new families were added to the original BMWP and the scores of some families were changed. Furthermore, Score 9 was added to. 6. It was determined that the results of the new index were compatible with the region and applicable for the further studies. KEY WORDS: Benthic macroinvertebrate, BMWP, cluster analysis, new biotic index, river, Turkey, Yeşilırmak, water quality. 1

2 Review of Hydrobiology 6,1: 1-29 (2013) ISSN RESEARCH ARTICLE Yeşilırmak Nehri nin su kalitesinin izlenmesi için Taban büyük omurgasızları kullanılarak bir biyotik indeks (Yeşilırmak-BMWP) hazırlanması NİLGÜN KAZANCI 1, GENCER TÜRKMEN 1, PINAR EKİNGEN 1 VE ÖZGE BAŞÖREN 1 1 Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Hidrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye. [ İletişim: Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kazancı, nilgunkazanci@gmail.com] ÖZ 1. Bu çalışma, 2008, 2009 ve 2010 yıllarında Yeşilırmak Nehri üzerinde belirlenen 42 istasyonda yürütülmüştür. İstasyonlardan alınan su örneklerinin NO 3, NO 2, NH 4 ve PO 4 analizleri yapılmış ve fiziko-kimyasal değişkenlere göre su kaliteleri belirlenmiştir. 2. İstasyonlardan taban büyük omurgasız komüniteleri örneklenmiştir ve 72 familyaya ait taban büyük omurgasız bireyi teşhis edilmiştir. 3. Elde edilen verilere kümeleme analizi uygulanmıştır. Analiz sonucunda taban büyük omurgasız komünite yapıları benzer olan istasyonlar birlikte kümelenmiştir. 4. Kümeleme analizi sonuçları ile fiziko-kimyasal veriler birlikte değerlendirilerek familyaların BMWP skorları tekrar düzenlenmiş ve Yeşilırmak Nehri ne özgü yeni bir biyotik indeks oluşturulmuştur (Yeşilırmak-BMWP, ). 5. Orijinal BWMP skorları ile skorları karşılaştırılmıştır. Bunun sonucunda orijinal BMWP skor sistemine yeni familyalar eklenmiş ve bazı familyaların skorları değiştirilmiştir. Ayrıca orijinal BMWP skor sisteminde olmayan Skor 9, ye dahil edilmiştir. 6. Yapılan çalışmada, indeks sonuçlarının uyumlu olduğu ve bölgede yapılacak daha sonraki çalışmalarda kullanılabilir olduğu belirlenmiştir. ANAHTAR KELİMELER: BMWP, taban büyük omurgasızları, kümeleme analizi, nehir, su kalitesi, yeni biyotik indeks, Yeşilırmak, Türkiye. 2

3 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates INTRODUCTION Benthic macroinvertebrates have been used to evaluate habitat quality of aquatic ecosystems for decades (Rosenberg and Resh 1993). Their presence and abundance can show the status of these ecosystems. Score systems are established by using water quality tolerance level of these organisms and are used for biotic indices (Resh and Jackson 1993). There are lots of indices and these indices can be used with chemical and physical properties to understand how ecosystems are disturbed. Biotic indices are important to assess the status of freshwater ecosystems and also to simplify to understand the results for policy makers (Cota et al. 2002). Qualitative results in benthic macroinvertebrate studies are not comprehensible and applicable for people who do not study with it, hence biotic indices, which transform qualitative data to quantitative data, are also very important to implement Water Framework Directive (WFD). WFD (Council of European Union, 2000) accepted in 2000 aims to achieve good status for all European surface waters by In order to achieve this, status of all surface waters have to be determined and the water bodies which have not good status have to be improved. Biotic indices, used to determine water body status, are often specific to geographical area (Johnson et al. 1993) because of that they have to be adapted to ecosystem which is required to be studied. Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score system which is used in Water Framework Directive (WFD) was developed in Great Britain (Armitage et al. 1983) and many countries which are member of European Union adapted this score according to their benthic fauna composition and tolerance level of taxa (e.g. Alba-Tercedor and Sanchez-Ortega, 1988). Turkey is not a member of European Union, but researchers are trying to implement WFD to determine stream types and benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of running waters in Turkey. Then, these knowledge will be used to compare undisturbed sites (which is called reference sites in WFD) and disturbed sites. So the level of disturbance of different sites can be determined. The first biotic index was applied in Turkey by DSI (Government Water Works) in Sakarya and Seyhan catchment areas in 1992 (DSI 1992). After that, Belgium Biotic Index was used for the first time for streams in Köyceğiz-Dalyan area (Kazancı 1993). Biotic indices, which are prepared for Turkey s fauna, are necessary to determine freshwater ecosystems more effectively. Even though composition of benthic macroinvertebrate 3

4 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN fauna of running waters in Turkey is similar with Europe -because both of them are included in Palearctic Region-, tolerance values of taxa could be different because of different type of pollution. The studies on benthic macroinvertebrates and habitat quality of aquatic ecosystems have increased recently in Turkey and these studies have contributed to the knowledge using bioindicator organisms in environmental quality studies (Kazancı et al. 1992, Kazancı 1993, Girgin and Kazancı 1994, Dügel 1995, Girgin and Kazancı 1996, Girgin 1997, Girgin et al. 1997, Kazancı et al. 1997, Kazancı and Girgin 1998, Dügel 2001, Kazancı and Girgin 2001, Girgin et al. 2003, Duran et al. 2003, Kazancı et al. 2003, Dügel and Kazancı 2004, Yılmaz 2005, Balık et al. 2006, Camur-Elipek et al. 2006, Duran 2006, Sukatar et al. 2006, Duran and Suiçmez 2007, Ertunç et al. 2008, Kalyoncu et al. 2008, Kazancı 2008a, 2008b, Kazancı et al. 2008a, 2008b, Kazancı and Ertunç 2008a, 2008b, Kazancı and Girgin 2008, Kazancı and Türkmen 2008, Türkmen and Kazancı 2008, Ertunç and Kazancı 2009a, 2009b, Gültutan and Kazancı 2009, Kalyoncu et al. 2009a, Kalyoncu and Gülboy, 2009b Kazancı 2009a, 2009b, 2009c, Kazancı et al. 2009a, 2009b, Girgin and Kazancı 2010, Kazancı 2010, Kazancı and Dügel 2010, Kazancı and Ertunç 2010, Kazancı et al. 2010a, 2010b, Türkmen and Kazancı 2010, Yıldız et al. 2010, Ertunç Başören and Kazancı 2011, Kalyoncu and Zeybek, 2011, Kazancı et al. 2011, Kazancı 2011a, 2011b, Şahin and Yıldız 2011, Topkara et al. 2011, Türkmen and Kazancı 2011, Türkmen and Özcan 2011, Ekingen and Kazancı 2012). Benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and physicochemical characteristics of Yeşilırmak River were determined in present study. These results are used to determine habitat quality. The BMWP score, which is used to determine habitat quality of freshwater in Britain, is adapted for Yeşilırmak River (). is the first BMWP index adapted to any river ecosystem in Turkey. Researchers studying on benthic macroinvertebrates of Yeşilırmak River can use this score system with chemical and physical properties to determine habitat quality of this river. MATERIAL AND METHODS Yeşilırmak River is the second longest river in Turkey and it has the third largest catchment area of Turkey. There are 19 dams and hydroelectric power stations on the river (Table 1). 4

5 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Fourty-two (42) sites in Yeşilırmak River and its tributaries were studied in 2008, 2009, and Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from different habitat types in these sites by standard D-frame net. Water samples were also taken from the sites to analyze NO 3, NO 2, NH 4 and PO 4. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and ph of sites were measured by YSI 556 multi-probe system at the same time during collection of organisms. Physical characteristics (e.g. structure of substratum, riparian vegetation, stream zone etc.) and physical disturbances (if there is any) were recorded. Benthic macroinvertebrates were identified in family level by Leica EZ4. Water samples were analyzed by Hach DR/890. Biological data were analyzed by using ASTERICS (AQEM/STAR Ecological River Classification System) (AQEM Consortium 2006). (Yeşilırmak-BMWP), ASPT and BBI values were used to determine habitat quality of sites. Different methods can be applied to generate a biotic index. In this study, Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) method was tried in order to generate (Yeşilırmak-BMWP). Adapted BMWP () scores were constituted. Cluster analysis was applied to 42 sites (Figure 2) according to absence/presence of benthic macroinvertebrate family and their abundance in order to determine the score of the all families. Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) was selected and Euclidean distance was used in this study. The similar sites were grouped together according to their similar benthic macroinvertebrate community structure. The families in the collecting sites with high water quality were assigned to high scores, while the families in the sites with low water quality were assigned to low scores. According to the results of cluster analysis, the scores of families were designated and compared to the original BMWP scores of families. New families and score 9 were added to the original list. Also, the scores of some of the families were changed in new (Yeşilırmak-BMWP) score system (Table 2, Table 13). RESULTS In this study, benthic macroinvertebrate individuals belonging to 72 families were identified in 42 sites. The most abundant families were Baetidae (12503 ind.), Gammaridae (11374 ind.), Hydropsychidae (5813 ind.), Chironomidae (4162 ind.), Simuliidae (2845 ind.) and Heptageniidae (2020 ind.) (Figure 1). 5

6 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Table 1. Dams and hydroelectric power stations situated on Yeşilırmak River (Kazancı et al. 2010a). Dam City Purpose Stream HES Alaca Dam Çorum Irrigation Suludere Str. Almus Dam Tokat Irrigation + Energy Yeşilırmak R. Alpu Dam Tokay Irrigation Alpu Str. Ataköy Dam Tokat Energy Yeşilırmak Belpınar Dam Tokat Irrigation Silisözü Str. Boztepe Dam Tokat Irrigation Boztepe Str. Çamlıgöze Dam Sivas Energy Kelkit Str. Gölova Dam Sivas Irrigation Kelkit Str. Güzelce Dam Tokat Irrigation Finize Str. Hasan Uğurlu Dam Samsun Energy Yeşilırmak R. Hatap Dam Çorum Irrigation Hatap Str. Kılıçkaya Dam Sivas Energy Kelkit Str. Koçhisar Dam Çorum Irrigation Büyüköz Str. Köse Dam Gümüşhane Irrigation Köse Str. Suat Uğurlu Dam Samsun Irrigation + Energy Yeşilırmak Süreyyabey Dam Yozgat Irrigation + Energy Çekerek Str. Uluköy Dam Amasya Irrigation Derebey Str. Yedikır Dam Amasya Irrigation Tersakan Str. Yenihayat Dam Çorum Irrigation Ilgınözü Str Figure 1. The number of individuals of benthic macroinvertebrate families in 42 sites in Yeşilırmak River. ( Others: Leptophlebiidae, Chloroperlidae, Leuctridae, Nemouridae, Polycentropodidae, Philopotamidae, Leptoceridae, Glossosomatidae, Gomphidae, Aeshnidae, Libellulidae, Blephariceridae, Empididae, Tabanidae, Athericidae, Muscidae, Stratiomyidae, Dolicopodidae, Dixidae, Scirtidae, Gyrinidae, Hydroscaphidae, Helodidae, Hydrophilidae, Chrysomelidae, Hydraenidae, Dytiscidae, Bithyniidae, Valvatidae, Hydrobiidae, Neritidae, Unionidae, Potamonidae, Erpobdellidae, Haemopidae, Hirudinidae, Gerridae, Hemiptera, Mesoveliidae, Notonectidae, Corixidae, Pyralidae, Osmylidae, Neuroptera, Planariidae, Gordiidae) 6

7 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Figure 2. Cluster dendrogram of the sites at the Yeşilırmak River. B1 B2 C1 C2 D1 D2 D3 A B C D 7

8 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Table 2. Yeşilırmak-BMWP score system (bold-labeled families were newly added families to original BMWP, grey-labeled families indicated that the scores of these families were changed in comparison to original BMWP). Families Score Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Plecoptera Chloroperlidae Trichoptera Leptoceridae, Polycentropodidae 10 Coleoptera Elmidae Diptera Blephariceridae Plecoptera Leuctridae, Perlidae, Perlodidae 9 Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Trichoptera Glossosomatidae, Philopotamidae, Psychomyiidae, Rhyacophilidae Odonata Aeshnidae, Libellulidae Neuroptera Osmylidae 8 Diptera Athericidae Lepidoptera Pyralidae Decapoda Potamonidae Ephemeroptera Ephemerellidae Plecoptera Nemouridae, Taeniopterygidae 7 Odonata Gomphidae, Cordulegasteridae, Platycnemididae, Coenagriidae Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Diptera Empididae 6 Gastropoda Neritidae Bivalvia Unionidae Ephemeroptera Oligoneuriidae Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Coleoptera Scirtidae, Hydraenidae Hemiptera Notonectidae 5 Diptera Simuliidae, Tipulidae, Pediciidae Turbellaria Dugesiidae, Planariidae Amphipoda Gammaridae Ephemeroptera Baetidae, Caenidae Coleoptera Chrysomelidae, Hydroscaphidae 4 Diptera Dixidae, Dolichopodidae, Limoniidae, Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae Coleoptera Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae Hemiptera Corixidae, Gerridae, Mesoveliidae Gastropoda Bithyniidae, Hydrobiidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Valvatidae Bivalvia Dreissenidae, Sphaeriidae 3 Isopoda Asellidae Annelidae Hirudinidae Diptera Chironomidae, Muscidae Gastropoda Planorbidae 2 Hirudinea Erpobdellidae, Glossiphoniidae, Haemopidae Oligochaeta Oligochaeta Gordioida Gordiidae 1 8

9 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates In Group A (Table 3), there were two sites clustered together ( 2 and 3). Both of these sites were situated on the main stem of Yeşilırmak River. Benthic macroinvertebrate families of these two sites were generally common taxa. All families in 3 were also found in 2. In 2, there were also three different families (Gerridae, Erpobdellidae and Hirudinidae) compared to the ones found in 3. These families were represented very low abundance in 2. Furthermore, 2 and 3 had the same water quality (IV. class) determined by both biotic index scores (BMWP and ) and physico-chemical variables. Therefore, these two sites were grouped together. The common families of 2 and 3 were Baetidae, Simuliidae, Chironomidae, Physidae, Gammaridae, Asellidae, Oligochaeta, Glossiphoniidae and Haemopidae. All of these families had low scores. The other three families had also low scores. Table 3. Families and their scores of the sites in Group A. Scores Families Simuliidae 5 Gammaridae 4 Baetidae 3 Asellidae 3 Physidae 3 Hirudinidae 3 Gerridae 2 Chironomidae 2 Glossiphoniidae 2 Haemopidae 2 Erpobdellidae 1 Oligochaeta There were seven sites clustered together within Group B. The common feature of the sites in Group B was that they all had the highest water quality classes in this study. This group was divided into two subgroups (B1 and B2). Three sites ( 26, 27 and 28) were clustered together within Subgroup B1 (Table 4). All of these sites were situated near the source of Çekerek Stream, which is the second largest tributary of Yeşilırmak River. These sites ( 26, 9

10 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN 27 and 28) also had the highest scores in this study (146, 128 and 129, respectively). In these sites, presence of high-scoring families, such as Chloroperlidae, Leptoceridae, Polycetropodidae, Elmidae, Blephariceridae, Perlidae, Heptageniidae, Psychomyiidae, Rhyacophilidae, Potamonidae, Philopotamidae and Aeschnidae caused high water quality scores. Table 4. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup B1. Scores Families Families Scores Chloroperlidae 5 Pediciidae 10 Polycentropodidae 5 Hydropsychidae 10 Leptoceridae 5 Gammaridae 10 Blephariceridae 5 Scirtidae 10 Elmidae 5 Hydraenidae 9 Perlidae 5 Notonectidae 8 Heptageniidae 5 Dugesiidae 8 Psychomyiidae 4 Baetidae 8 Rhyacophilidae 4 Limoniidae 8 Philopotamidae 4 Chrysomelidae 8 Aeshnidae 4 Tabanidae 8 Pyralidae 4 Stratiomyidae 8 Potamonidae 4 Dixidae 7 Nemouridae 3 Mesoveliidae 7 Ephemerellidae 2 Chironomidae 6 Empididae 1 Oligochaeta 5 Simuliidae The sites ( 5, 7, 8 and 35) clustered within Subgroup B2 (Table 5) had the next cleanest sites after the sites in Subgroup B1. These sites, like the sites in Subgroup B1, had high scores (118, 92 and 107), except 35 (79). In general, benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of 35 was very similar to other three sites. However, score of 35 was relatively low, due to the absence of highscoring indicator families such as Leuctridae, Elmidae, Perlidae and Rhyacophilidae. 35 was clustered together with other three sites within the same subgroup due to having similar faunal structure. 10

11 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Table 5. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup B2. Scores Families Families Scores Leuctridae 5 Hydropsychidae 10 Elmidae 5 Tipulidae 9 Perlidae 5 Gammaridae 8 Heptageniidae 5 Pediciidae 8 Glossosomatidae 4 Baetidae 8 Psychomyiidae 4 Caenidae 8 Rhyacophilidae 4 Dolicopodidae 8 Athericidae 4 Limoniidae 8 Potamonidae 4 Tabanidae 8 Osmylidae 3 Gyrinidae 7 Ephemerellidae 3 Lymnaeidae 6 Gomphidae 3 Asellidae 6 Empididae 2 Muscidae 6 Hydroptilidae 2 Chironomidae 5 Simuliidae 1 Gordiidae 5 Scirtidae 1 Oligochaeta Total of seventeen sites were clustered within Group C. The common feature of the sites in Group C was that they all were situated at disturbed areas such as densely populated regions, drainage area of waste water coming from a village located on upstream of the river and the zones after dams. This group was divided into two subgroups (C1 and C2). Within Subgroup C1, twelve sites were clustered together (Table 6). These sites had low water quality (III and IV class) according to the physico-chemical variables, except 11 (II class). 11 was situated at the zone after the Çamlıgöze Dam. There was an irregular circumstances after the dam. Besides, only Baetidae and Caenidae were found at 11. The other sites in Subgroup C1 were situated at densely populated areas ( 12, 21, 24, 25, 34, 36 and 37) and the zones after dams ( 19 after Köse Dam and 9 after Çamlıgöze Dam, 33 after Süreyyabey Dam, 40 after Hasan Uğurlu Dam). 11

12 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Table 6. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup C1. Scores Families Chloroperlidae 10 Elmidae 9 Perlidae 8 Heptageniidae 8 Potamonidae 7 Ephemerellidae 6 Gomphidae 6 Empididae 6 Unionidae 5 Oligoneuriidae 5 Hydropsychidae 5 Simuliidae 5 Tipulidae 5 Pediciidae 5 Gammaridae 4 Baetidae 4 Caenidae 4 Limoniidae 4 Tabanidae 3 Hydrophilidae 3 Mesoveliidae 3 Physidae 3 Lymnaeidae 3 Bithyniidae 3 Sphaeriidae 3 Dreissenidae 3 Valvatidae 3 Asellidae 2 Muscidae 2 Chironomidae 2 Planorbidae 2 Glossiphoniidae 2 Erpobdellidae 1 Oligochaeta 12

13 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates There were five sites ( 4, 18, 20, 29 and 32) clustered together within Subgroup C2 (Table 7). All of these sites, except 18, were situated at the zones after dams ( 4 after Köse Dam, 20 and 32 after Süreyyabey Dam, 29 after Güzelce Dam). Water qualities of the sites after dams were at III. and IV. water classes according to scores in this study. Releasing water from dams directly affected the natural flow regime of the streams. The alteration of the flow regime affected benthic macroinvertebrate community structure directly (e.g. drift), and moreover, it also affected the benthic communities indirectly by changing the substratum structure of the streams. Furthermore, alteration of flow regime caused an extra stress over these communities by changing the dissolved oxygen content and nutrient status of the streams. Because of these negative effects, indicator families which were very sensitive to these kinds of changes disappeared from aquatic environment and other tolerant families responded these changes by filling the gap left by them in the community. In other words, abundance of tolerant families increased and caused a decrease in the number of species. 18, which was different from the sites after dams but clustered together with these sites, had a similar benthic macroinvertebrate fauna. This site, however, had II. class water quality. Presence of high-scoring families, such as Leptophiliidae, Elmidae and Potamonidae increased the water quality of 18. Table 7. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup C2. Scores Families Families Scores Leptophlebiidae 5 Simuliidae 10 Elmidae 5 Tipulidae 9 Perlidae 5 Pediciidae 8 Heptageniidae 5 Gammaridae 8 Athericidae 4 Baetidae 8 Osmylidae 4 Caenidae 8 Potamonidae 4 Limoniidae 7 Ephemerellidae 4 Tabanidae 6 Gomphidae 4 Stratiomyidae 6 Empididae 2 Chironomidae 5 Oligoneuriidae 1 Oligochaeta 5 Hydropsychidae 13

14 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Fourteen sites were clustered together within Group D. The sites in this group had a similar benthic macroinvertebrate fauna. Group D was divided into three subgroups (D1, D2 and D3). There were four sites ( 14, site 15, 16 and 41) clustered together within Subgroup D1 (Table 8). 16 was formed by combining 14 and 15. These three sites were clustered together because of having both faunal and environmental resemblance. The most abundant families in 41 were very similar to the ones in 14, 15 and 16. Therefore, 41 was grouped together with these there sites. Table 8. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup D1. Scores Families Scores Families Heptageniidae 4 Caenidae 8 Aeshnidae 4 Limoniidae 8 Libellulidae 4 Tabanidae 8 Potamonidae 4 Dolicopodidae 7 Ephemerellidae 4 Hydroscaphidae 7 Nemouridae 3 Lymnaeidae 6 Gomphidae 3 Sphaeriidae 5 Hydropsychidae 3 Valvatidae 5 Simuliidae 2 Chironomidae 5 Tipulidae 2 Planorbidae 5 Planariidae 2 Erpobdellidae 5 Gammaridae 1 Oligochaeta 4 Baetidae The sites ( 6, 10 and 17) clustered together within Subgroup D2 had similar benthic macroinvertebrate fauna (Table 9). 6 and 10 had II. class water quality, but 17 had IV. class water quality. While taking a water sample from the sampling point at 17, the drainage water due to the precipitation caused low water quality. But the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of 17 hadn t been affected by these temporary changes. 14

15 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Table 9. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup D2. Scores Families Scores Families Elmidae 5 Planariidae 9 Leuctridae 5 Dugesiidae 8 Heptageniidae 5 Gammaridae 8 Psychomyiidae 4 Baetidae 8 Rhyacophilidae 4 Caenidae 8 Athericidae 4 Tabanidae 6 Hydroptilidae 4 Stratiomyidae 6 Empididae 3 Bithyniidae 5 Oligoneuriidae 3 Dreissenidae 5 Hydropsychidae 3 Valvatidae 5 Simuliidae 2 Muscidae 5 Tipulidae 2 Chironomidae 5 Pediciidae 1 Oligochaeta There were seven sites clustered together within Subgroup D3 (Table 10). 1, 22 and 23 were situated in a densely populated area. Also, 23 was impacted by waste water of a hospital. 38 was situated at a lake outlet, 30 and 31 were situated before Süreyyabey Dam, 13 was situated after Köse Dam. The most abundant families of these sites were generally same. Therefore these sites were clustered together within the same subgroup. Two sites out of all 42 sites couldn t be included in any groups or subgroups. One of these sites, 42, didn t resemble any of the other sites. Benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of this site was dominated by only three families (Gammaridae, Baetidae and Simuliidae). Although there were fifteen families in 42, relative abundance of these three families covered 95.15% of whole benthic fauna. The other site, 39, was situated on the main stem of Yeşilırmak River and it was the closest site to the mouth of the river. By getting closer to the mouth, current velocity decreased and the stream was widened and deepened. Also the siltation increased and bottom structure of the stream had changed. All of these changes caused a change over benthic macroinvertebrate fauna. Because of these reasons, 39 didn t cluster together with any sites in this study. 15

16 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Table 10. Families and their scores of the sites in Subgroup D3. Scores Families Leptoceridae 10 Blephariceridae 8 Heptageniidae 8 Psychomyiidae 8 Potamonidae 7 Ephemerellidae 6 Hydroptilidae 6 Gomphidae 6 Empididae 6 Neritidae 5 Oligoneuriidae 5 Hydropsychidae 5 Simuliidae 5 Tipulidae 5 Pediciidae 5 Dugesiidae 5 Gammaridae 4 Baetidae 4 Caenidae 4 Limoniidae 4 Tabanidae 4 Stratiomyidae 4 Dolicopodidae 3 Gyrinidae 3 Hydrophilidae 3 Dytiscidae 3 Mesoveliidae 3 Physidae 3 Lymnaeidae 3 Sphaeriidae 3 Valvatidae 3 Asellidae 2 Muscidae 2 Chironomidae 2 Planorbidae 2 Glossiphoniidae 2 Erpobdellidae 1 Oligochaeta 16

17 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Table 11. and original BMWP scores of sites and water quality classes (WQC) s corresponding to their scores. Scores WQC according to BMWP Scores WQC according to BMWP WQC according to Physico-chemical variables 1 70 III 58 III III 2 35 IV 38 IV IV 3 27 IV 27 IV IV 4 54 III 43 III III I 95 II II 6 80 II 54 III II 7 92 II 89 II II I 91 II II 9 44 III 38 IV IV II 74 II II 11 8 V 11 IV II IV 34 IV III III 35 IV IV III 62 III IV II 70 III IV III 65 III IV II 68 III IV II 78 II IV IV 29 IV IV III 58 III IV IV 31 IV III III 58 III IV IV 23 IV III III 56 III III IV 34 IV III I 126 I III I 103 I II I 103 I IV III 65 III IV III 61 III IV II 76 II IV II 73 II III III 51 III III IV 46 III IV II 59 III IV III 52 III III IV 47 III IV III 57 III III III 56 III IV IV 24 IV IV II 70 III III II 62 III IV 17

18 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN Table 12. BMWP score range. Water Quality Class Score Category Interpretation I > 100 Very good Unpolluted / Unimpacted II Good Clean but slightly impacted III Moderate Moderately impacted IV Poor Polluted or impacted V < 10 Very poor Heavily polluted DISCUSSION Benthic macroinvertebrates occur in aquatic habitats with particular characteristics in their zoogeographic areas. The biodiversity and quality of running waters and other type of aquatic ecosystems rapidly decline due to various anthropogenic activities. Eutrophication, organic pollution and physical degradation of aquatic ecosystems are worldwide problems. The benthic macroinvertebrates has long been used in the assessment of the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems (Washington 1984, Metcalfe 1989, Rosenberg and Resh 1993, Kazancı et al. 1997, Mandaville 2002, Iliopoulou-Georgudaki et al. 2003, Smith et al. 2005). The use of bioindicator macroinvertebrate taxa for the assessment of ecological quality has more advantages than assessment based on phytoplankton, benthic diatoms, fishes and macrophytes (Rosenberg and Resh 1993, Iliopoulou-Georgudaki et al. 2003). The EU Water Framework Directive (Council of European Union 2000) requires an intercalibrated and much more sensitive biological assessment system in Europe and in adjacent countries such as Turkey. According to the EU Water Framework Directive, various indices based on benthic macroinvertebrates, phytoplankton, benthic algae, macrophytes and fish must be used in biomonitoring methods. However, the performance of the indices of benthic macroinvertebrates is very high. This is mainly because the response of various benthic macroinvertebrate taxa to environmental stresses is very clear and there are many biotic indices based on them. Therefore they have a particular importance for the multimetric biological indices approach. 18

19 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates Various indices based on macroinvertebrate families have been used in Europe for a long time for routine rapid assessment of ecological quality of running waters (Washington 1984, Metcalfe 1989). Biotic indices are constructed by use of numerical expressions according to the presence of bioindicator taxa in different sensitivity level to habitat conditions. Indices which are developed for particular zoogeographical areas have been applied, with success, in other zoogeographical areas. The modification of an index which is developed for a particular zoogeographic region requires many prior applications and pilot studies in the new zoogeographic regions. In many European countries, adaptation of many biotic indices is performed such as BMWP. The BMWP index was developed for evaluating the ecological quality of running waters in the United Kingdom (Armitage et al. 1983). This index is useful to determine the water quality status of running water ecosystems in various zoogeographic regions and it has been successfully applied in many countries including Spain (Alba- Tercedor and Sanchez-Ortega, 1988), Canada (Barton and Metcalfe-Smith 1992), Italy (Solimini et al. 2000), Argentina (Capitulo et al. 2001), Thailand (Mustow 2002), Poland (Czerniawska- Kusza 2005), Greece (Artemiadou and Lazaridou 2005), Portugal (Faria et al. 2006), Brazil (Silveira et al. 2005) and Malaysia (Azrina et al. 2006). Various indices based on the benthic macroinvertebrate taxa of European Countries have been implemented in Turkey since The data obtained from these indices were helpful to interpret the water quality of running waters in Turkey. But these indices were inadequate to supply information about current water quality classes at all times. Hence, a comprehensive index which is adapted to the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of Turkey is needed. Biotic indices should primarily be prepared compatible with regional benthic macroinvertebrate fauna however the inadequate knowledge on aquatic fauna, the necessity of preparation of an ecoregional index, highly variable geology, high endemism and biodiversity of Turkey are major difficulties for the preparation of an overall index of Turkey. European researchers developed indices based on the benthic macroinvertebrates such as Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score, the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) by Armitage et al. (19 83). These indices are generally used in conjunction with chemical monitoring to define water quality classifications. The new biotic index was prepared for Yeşilırmak River (Yeşilırmak-BMWP, ) for a rapid bioassessment of the water quality. The new index based on benthic macroinvertebrate families recorded from the main stem of Yeşilırmak River and its tributaries. Armitage et al. (1983) noted that the BMWP score system has high performance if the environmental factors of the sampling site are taken into consideration. 19

20 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN The index is the first comprehensive index that can be used in different ecoregions in Turkey. The index has been modified as follows: 1. The score 9 was included in the, families were added to the original BMWP because these families are not found in original BMWP and they are important bioindicators for the assessment of running water quality in Turkey (Table 13), families were given new scores (Table 13), Table 13. Modifications in. Newly added score to Score 9 Family Score Blephariceridae 10 Glossosomatidae 8 Osmylidae 8 Athericidae 8 Pyralidae 8 Potamonidae 8 Empididae 6 Oligoneuriidae 5 Hydraenidae 5 Pediciidae 5 Dugesiidae 5 Newly added families to Hydroscaphidae 4 Dixidae 4 Dolichopodidae 4 Limoniidae 4 Stratiomyidae 4 Tabanidae 4 Bithyniidae 3 Dreissenidae 3 Hirudinidae 3 Muscidae 2 Haemopidae 2 Gordiidae 1 20

21 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates The families whose score changed in Family Score BMWP score Polycentropodidae 10 7 Elmidae 10 5 Leuctridae 9 10 Perlidae 9 10 Perlodidae 9 10 Heptageniidae 8 10 Rhyacophilidae 8 7 Ephemerellidae 7 10 Taeniopterygidae 7 10 Gomphidae 6 8 Cordulegasteridae 6 8 Gammaridae 5 6 Caenidae 4 7 Chrysomelidae 4 5 Dytiscidae 3 5 Gyrinidae 3 5 Hydrophilidae 3 5 Corixidae 3 5 Gerridae 3 5 Mesoveliidae 3 5 Planorbidae 2 3 Erpobdellidae 2 3 Glossiphoniidae 2 3 was mainly based on families of benthic macroinvertebrates according to their degree of intolerance against organic pollution. The original scores of indicator taxa were changed according to different sensitivity levels to habitat quality conditions in Yeşilırmak River. The reasons for using family level were as follows: 1. The knowledge of taxonomy of various benthic macroinvertebrate taxa in species and genus level and information of faunistic composition of different regions is inadequate or fragmentary, 2. The other problem is the high number of new species and high level endemism of different higher taxa in different geographical regions, 3. The identification of genus and species of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa requires the effort of experts of each taxon. The family level index is easily implemented by persons other than expert, 4. There is a clear correlation between the water quality knowledge obtained from family and the genus-species level indices (Kazancı 2010a, Ekingen and Kazancı 2012). Hilsenhoff (1988) reported that the family indices determine lower water quality than genus-species level indices. 21

22 NİLGÜN KAZANCI, GENCER TÜRKMEN, PINAR EKİNGEN AND ÖZGE BAŞÖREN On the other hand, there are many scientific gaps in the knowledge of biological indices application in Turkey. So still we need scientific experts for application of various biological monitoring methods. The BMWP index was suitable to determine the water quality impairment by domestic, industrial and agricultural waste water and also physical habitat deterioration of dams in Yeşilırmak River. Dams disturb river hydrology, water quality and biodiversity. The running water ecosystem below reservoirs has homogenous characteristics and low biodiversity (Taylor et al. 1993, Penczak 2004). Yeşilırmak River is highly regulated by dams, hydroelectric power plants etc. (Table 1). The high physical habitat deterioration of dams on Yeşilırmak River was detected using. The goals of preparation of index are as follows: - To determine the suitability of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna for water quality assessment, - To assess the water quality of Yeşilırmak River using a peculiar index on the fauna of Turkey, - Defining sensitive zones by means of biological standards or standardized methods, - To assess water quality with respect to the ecological, economic and political conditions, - To include index in Yeşilırmak River basin management plan, - To combine index with the ASTERICS software, - To compare the usefulness of the two biotic indices (BMWP and ) for the fauna of Turkey, - To adapt the most useful index to regional conditions of Turkey, - To determine the stream typology of Yeşilırmak River, - To define the reference sites at Yeşilırmak River, - To specify the reference benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of Yeşilırmak River, - To manage the fishery resources, - To provide an early warning mechanism for the detection of pollution and physical habitat degradation. 22

23 Preparation of a biotic index () for water quality monitoring of Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates ACKNOWLEDGMENT This research was supported by Hacettepe University Research Foundation (BAP) (Project leader: Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kazancı, Project title: Constitution of biotic index for long-term biomonitoring of water quality for Yeşilırmak River by using benthic macroinvertebrates and Project no: ). REFERENCES Alba-Tercedor, J. and Sánchez-Ortega, A., Um método rápido y simple para evaluar la calidad biológica de lãs águas corrientes basado em El de Hellawell (1978). Limnética, 4: Armitage, P. D., Moss, D., Wright, J. F. and Furse, M. T., The performance of a new biological water quality scores system based on macroinvertebrates over a wide range of unpolluted running-water sites. Water Res. 17: Artemiadou, V. and Lazaridou, M., Evaluation score and interpretation index for the ecological quality of running waters in Central and Northern Hellas. Environ Monit Assess. 110,1-3: Azrina, M. Z., Yap, C. K., Rahim Ismail, A., Ismail, A. and Tan, S. G., Anthropogenic impacts on the distribution and biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality of the Langat River, Peninsular Malaysia. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 64,3: Barton, D. R. and Metcalfe-Smith, J. L., A comparison of sampling techniques and summary indices for assessment of water quality in the Yamaska River, Quebec, based on benthic macroinvertebrates. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 21: Başören (Ertunç), Ö. and Kazancı, N., The distributional data of Simuliidae (Insecta, Diptera) in some streams of Yedigöller National Park (Bolu, Turkey). Review of Hydrobiology 4,2: Balık, S., Ustaoğlu, M. R., Özbek, M., Yıldız, S., Taşdemir, A. and İlhan, A., Küçük Menderes Nehri nin (Selçuk - İzmir) Aşağı Havzasındaki Kirliliğin Makro Bentik Omurgasızlar Kullanılarak Saptanması. E. Ü. Su Ürünleri Dergisi 23,1-2: Camur-Elipek, B., Arslan, N., Kırgız, T. and Oterler, B., Benthic Macrofauna in Tunca River (Turkey) and Their Relationships with Environmental Variables. Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica 34:

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